I once held you in both of my hands
Your bottom in my right hand
My left hand supporting your beautiful bald head
You were so tiny
But already so bright and inquisitive
Looking around...
Looking at me

When I look at you now
I clutch my hands
Knowing soon...
Real soon
The hands of a young man will touch you as well

There has never been a biological parent who has not had sex
Even I have had sex with an eighteen year old young lady
So many long and youthful years ago
I have not forgotten
Nor has she
Nor will you

Each day I see the woman in you blossom
I see your beauty
Your charm
Your womanly wit
I see what other men of varying ages see
But they never held you up with both of their hands
They didn't teach you how to play ball
Play the dozens
Play the game of life
A Johnny-Come-Lately will hold you that way
The way young girls dream of being held...
What they feel while alone in their room
A Teddy Bear sitting in the corner the only witness

I see your young man and I see you
Young love such a beautiful thing
You have chosen well
He cares for you
I pray he cares when that special time is upon you

I'll admit my comfort in knowing he is as young as you
As inexperienced
Safe to say even more afraid
But oh so eager as young men are

I'll also admit to wanting to see you afterward
See the glow in your eyes
The rhythm of your walk
The air that will move with you
Sweeping you up toward your womanhood
A fine sight that will be

I know you will not discuss this with me
My respect for your privacy paramount
But perhaps we can just take a walk
At some point during one of our silly moments
I'll put my hands on your shoulder
Thinking how tiny you once were

I feel this piece deeply. It is so difficult to deal with those "passages" our children must go through into adulthood. We conceive them, bear them, nurture them, teach them, prepare them for life beyond our gates... and when the time approaches, we find we ourselves so unprepared...

Father/daughters have a special bond. As a card-carrying "daddy's girl", there are precious memories that I hold dear, of my father and me. And I know the tender heart a father has toward his girl...even into womanhood...hoping, praying, that the man she's chosen will realize what a treasure she is...and cherish the heart she's giving him so sweetly.